Military Flag Manuals
Sep 14th, 2008 by Deborah Hendrick
U.S. Army flag manual (82 pages PDF)
U.S. Marine Corps flag manual (71 pages PDF)
U.S. Navy flag manual (106 pages PDF).
U.S. Coast Guard uses Navy NTP 13 (B) with this additional material.
U.S. Air Force flag manual (91 pages PDF)
Maritime or nautical flag etiquette and protocol for civilians is addressed by the U.S. Power Squadrons, and may be found in detail here. Maritime or nautical etiquette differs from regular civilian flag code in some respects. Frequently in coastal areas, the two forms can disagree, resulting misunderstandings.
We are working on a parade which will involve the 5 flags of the armed services being flown from motorcycles in single file; is there a standard order these flags should be in the procession?
Thank you,
I need to supplement an article being written for the local paper about a community flag retirement ceremony with information on the origin of the procedure. The only information I am locating on the internet is the mechanics of the ceremony itself and how to properly conduct it. Nothing on the history or how this particular method of disposal came to be decided upon. When did it become established? Why burn the flags vs. another method?
Can anyone direct me to an information source to help with this? –Thanks
Hi Kelley,
As far as I know—no one knows, and it’s very frustrating. I can guess and extrapolate from historical narrative, but it’s still just guessing. I personally suspect that the custom began as a way to keep the remains of a flag from falling into the wrong hands, or from being used for using else. It must have been very tempting to incorporate bits and pieces of an old flag into other items—either for clothing, household use, or decoration. Burying the flag would accomplish the same goal. Flags made organic fibers—silk, linen, wool, cotton—would soon decompose in the ground.
what is the international flag hoist for.”am exercising with dived submarines in area”
Thank you for writing Rohit.
I don’t know anything about international flag communications, so this is not a question I can answer for you. Best Wishes, Deborah Hendrick
We are having a Veterans Week program and are interested in placing the flags correctly for our programs. (We are in Kansas) When inside in front of a stage: Where is the POW/MIA Flag placed? Is it placed to the speakers right next to the American flag or to the left of the speaker? If we post the Kansas flag, too. Which side of the state flag is the POW/MIA placed? Thanks Deb